Connection



J. E. CADY Sept. 28, 1937.

CONNECTION Filed. Nov. 29. 1935 N i, I h M.-

Illllliill JOHV E CFIDY ATTORNEY.

Patented's 93,7 o

UNITED sra rizs PA ENT "OFFICE:

n oomcrron a John E cadyijndianapolis, 1nd,, assignofr to Unlt'e'dgstates ltubber Products, Inc., New York, 'N. Y., a corporation of Delaware I i Astumms mser 29, 1935, Serial No.;52 .163 1 c aim.- (c1. 248-75) This invention relates to connections, and specifically .it relates to a method and means for forming a connection between a supply .of compressed fluid and thevalve stem of an inner tube during the vulcanization of the latter. I

, In general, the invention comprises a fitting in the 'formof a nozzle connected to a conduit for supplying fluid under compression, and having a I I a tapered seat for cooper-able engagement with the I conventional internal tapered, seat in a valve stem, and means for positioning the nozzle in a V definite location relative to the valve stem whereby theintroduction' of fluid into the inner tube operates to move the: valve stem axially toward the fnozzleto effectuate aseal therebetween. a

In thevulcanization'ofinner tubes it is essential to inflate the tubes while in the vulcanizing mold. It is also necessary that the tube be in an inflated state throughout the period of vulcaniza tion. To attain this condition, an operator at the beginning of the vulcanizing operation connects the valve stem of the inner tubewith a source of fluid under compression. Also, the operator must detach this connection when the vulcaniz'ln'g oper- 5 ation is completed.

a Where large numbers of tubes are vulcanized, theattachment and, detachment of fluid means with the inner tube is an operation which has heretofore required a considerable amount of 30 timeand accuracy in assuring anon-leaking con- Various means have been utilized for maintain! ing the gasket in tight engagement with the end of the valve stem. Such means included addi- 40 tional means for engagement with the exterior threads of the valve stem, Therefore, the effectiveness of the connection has heretofore been dependent entirely upon the skill of the operator. Furthermore, due to the deterioration of 45 the gasket material, it frequently occurred that the connection wouldpermit fluid to leak during the vulcanization of the inner tube. As the connections were usually in the form of a cap positioned exteriorly of the valve stem, any leak- 50 age of the connection was directed along the valve stem and against that portion of the vulcanizing mold which surrounds the valve stem. As a result, certain portions of thetube or mold were cooled, thus preventing. complete vulcanization 5 of the tube at such locations.

A further objectionable feature of the conventional typesof connectingmeans results in view of injuries sustained to .the external threads of the valve stem due-to-theutilization ofsuch threadsflas, a means for securing the gasket in 5 tight engagement with the end of the valve'stem.

In my invention the connecting meansin no way engages with the external threads of the valve stem. Furthermoregthefact that the nozzle is positioned interiorly' of the stem overcomes 10 any possibility of causing a blast of air to be directed against the inner tube or its associated parts in the event leakage should occur. Also, it is not necessary for the operator to make a tight. engagement between the nozzle and the 15 valve stem, for as soon as the inner tube is inflated it operates to move the valve stem axially toward the nozzle, thus automatically producing atight seal. 1

Besides the advantages herein described, the 20 device of myinvention provides a quick attach: able and detachable means of forming a connection, coupled with simplicity in function and economy in manufacture. These and other objeets and advantages will appear more obvious in the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:- 1

Fig. 1 is a transverse view in section of an embodiment of my invention, shown in engagement with a valve stem and inner tube;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, of the connecting device shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse view in section of an assembly of the connecting means, showing its relative position with a vulcanizing mold. v

Referringto Fig. 1, the connecting means comprises a nozzle body I having extending therefrom a nozzle 2 including a long, tapered seat 3 on the exterior surface thereof. A flange 4 extending from the body I is adapted for resting in f a slot 5 within a bracket 6. A reduced portion 1 of the slot 5 provides a shoulder. 8 which engages with the flange 4 and limits the backward movement of the nozzle body H. An aperture 9 passes through the nozzle 2 and body- I, and communicates with an elbow l0 joined to a flexible conduit II. The conduit II in turn connects with suitable valve means (not shown) and to a source of fluid under pressure.

in it operates as a seat in combination with conventional valve insides or mechanisms.

The valve insert is shown in combination with a rubber stem I4 attached to an inner tube I5. However, it is to be understood that the valve stem may be oi the all-metal type, or of any combination of rubber and metal. It is preferred, however, that the stem be composed of rubber, at least in part, as such rubber operates as resilient means interposed between the seat formed by the nozzle 2 and insert I3 and the inner tube.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a conventional vulcanizer unit comprising upper and lower mold sections I8 and I1, respectively. The bracket 6, by

'- means of a bolt I8, is secured to the lower mold section I1 in such manner that the valve stem and nozzle connecting means are in axial alignment.

In the assembly operation the vulcanizing unit is opened by swinging the upper mold section IS on its pivot I9. An inner tube I5 is placed in the annular depression formed in'the lower mold section Il in such manner thatthe valve stem I4 extends partially therefrom. At this stage oi the operation the operator grasps the nozzle body I and inserts the nozzle 2 within the insert it of the valve stem.

A flange l on the nozzle body I is limited only in outward axial movement by the shoulder 8. Therefore, any variance in the proper position of the valve stem due to the deflated condition of the tube may be compensated for by a free axial movement of the nozzle body I toward the valve stem.

After such connection is made the operator causes the upper mold section I6 to lower in contact engagement with the lower mold section. As customary with conventional vulcanizing units the mold sections are locked together, and the 40 relative movement of the mold sections is utilized to operate means (not shown) for controlling a valve to permit the flow of compressed fluid through the nozzle aperture 9 and into the interior of the inner tube l5.

During the inflation oi the inner tube the walls thereof expand and engage in contact relation with the cavity surface oi the mold. This expam sion 01 the inner tube moves the valve stem it outwardly, carrying with it the nozzle I until the flange l engages with the shoulder I oi the bracket 8.

The tapered surface I of the nozzle 2 and the tapered seat I! of the insert II operate in part to restrict the complete outward movement oi the valve stem II. Consequentlinthe internal pressure within the inner tube II reacts with sumcient force against the valve stem I4 to maintain a positive seal between the insert I3 and the nozzle 2.

After vulcanization oi the inner tube a valve mechanism (not shown) is operated, which relieves the pressure within the inner tube. The

v mold section It is pivoted upwardly and the inner In removing the inner tube the operator grasps the valve stem II and moves it axially away irom the nozzle I. This operation requires little or no extra work on the part of the operator, and results in completely disconnecting the valve stem from the means connected to the source or compressed fluid.

After removal of theinner tube. another inner tube is inserted and engaged with the connecting means in a similar cycle oi operation.

While I have shown and described a certain preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that other modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and the scope oi the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:-

Iniiating mechanism comprising a support terminating in a slotted head, saidslot having a shoulder formed therein whereby the slot is oi greater dimensions at one side oi the support than at the other, and a nozzle shaped to readily enter said slot and having a shoulder for cooperation with the slot shoulder to resist longitudinal movement 0! the nozzle in at least one direction.

JOHN E. CADY. 

